Hair Conditioner: When, How, and Why You Should Use It

When we shampoo, along with the accumulated dirt and dust, natural oils are stripped from the hair and washed down the drain. To retain hair’s healthy shine and bounce, we need to condition it after shampooing. Hair conditioner replenishes moisture and strengthens the cuticles so that hair grows without breaking easily.

How to Apply Hair Conditioner

Most of us may wonder why our hair still feels dry and brittle despite regular conditioning. Hair care experts reveal that we may have been doing it wrong. Here’s how to properly use a hair conditioner.

·         Apply conditioner to towel-dried or damp hair so the moisturisers can soak into the hair shaft. Never apply conditioner on hair that’s soaking wet. Think of a sponge. A saturated sponge can’t possibly absorb more moisture. Like a sponge, hair that’s soaking wet cannot absorb the moisturising ingredients of the conditioner. Therefore, after shampooing, dry hair with a towel before applying conditioner.

·     Avoid putting conditioner near the roots to keep the scalp from getting greasy faster. Ideally, apply conditioner from mid-length and down to the hair ends.

·         Leave conditioner to soak on hair for five minutes at the least before rinsing thoroughly with water.

·         While the recommended frequency of shampooing is two to three times a week, conditioning should be daily. When done correctly, daily conditioning keeps hair well-hydrated and rinses away grease and grime on the days without shampooing.

·         Brush hair before washing. Avoid brushing hair while still wet. Brush only when hair is totally dry or at least almost dry.

Choosing a Conditioner

History reveals that our ancestors were as hair-obsessed as we are now. For example, women from the early Renaissance used a blend of lizard tallow and bird droppings to style their hair. In the Elizabethan era, women used lard as a hair gel. However, we now have many hair care product options thanks to modern technology.

One such product recommended by many hair care professionals is the Sukin Volumising Conditioner. What’s great about this particular brand is that it contains no silicones, sulphates, and other harsh chemicals that can dry out hair and strip it of its natural oils. Instead, it has a lightweight, non-greasy formula that nourishes and rejuvenates hair for that healthy bounce and volume. In addition, its formulation of rice protein and botanical extracts from mango, papaya, and pineapple make it ideal for limp and fine hair.